Paramedic Services Week 2024
May 19-25, 2024 is National Paramedic Services Week, a time to honour the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) profession and recognize the professionals who provide this vital public service. Paramedic Services Week also offers an opportunity to better understand the important role EMS plays within the health care system, and for our communities.
Alberta’s EMS system is comprised of dedicated Emergency Medical Dispatchers, Inter-facility Transportation, community-based First Responders, as well EMS Practitioners in ground and air (rotary and fixed-wing) transport ambulances.
This year's national theme Help Us Help You is an opportunity to highlight the many ways that paramedic services help people, from the provision of emergency care for those critically ill and injured to the more contemporary role of paramedic services as part of a greater health system.
Join us as we celebrate these heroes and learn more about the incredible care they provide each and every day.
*Please note: This page is moderated and any inappropriate or disrespectful content will be edited and/or removed.
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Thank your local paramedics
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Alberta Health Services (AHS) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) brings care to people and people to care. Our team is made up of caring and knowledgeable people who give their best to Albertans each and every day.
We invite you to tell us about an incredible paramedic you know as we celebrate these dedicated professionals during Paramedic Services Week.
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2024 Paramedic of the Year - Ian Blanchard
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AHS EMS would like to recognize the incredible achievements of one of our own paramedics, Ian Blanchard.
Ian has been named the 2024 Paramedic of the Year by the Paramedic Association of Canada, an award that recognizes exceptional service that highlights and raises the profile of paramedicine on a national level.
Through his persistence, dedication, and leadership, Ian has pioneered the field of paramedic research in Canada and, through his work, has positively influenced the management and survivability of prehospital cardiac arrest in Alberta.
Congratulations!
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AHS EMS Virtual Ride Along
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The AHS Instagram page followed AHS EMS on a virtual ride along for Paramedic Services Week on May 21.
Visit the link, or take a look at the photos here. -
Come visit us!
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Are you interested in knowing more about EMS? Our Public Education Officers will be in communities to talk about the work we do throughout Paramedic Services Week 2024 - May 19-25.
Sunday, May 19
Calgary - Interactive EMS vehicle display at Southcentre Mall (100 Anderson Rd SE, Calgary)Tuesday, May 21
Calgary - Career event at Calgary Islamic School
Cochrane - Career Event at Cochrane High SchoolWednesday, May 22
Calgary - Career Event at Springbank High School
Edmonton - EMS Student and Media Day at Edmonton's EMS NW StationFriday, May 24
Edmonton - EMS Fleet Day at the ATB Building (10025 Jasper Ave, Edmonton)Saturday, May 25
Calgary - Summer Safety Day with Youthlink Calgary Police Interpretive Centre (5111 47 St NE, Calgary)
Cochrane - Community safety booth at the Baby & Tot Show at Spray Lakes Sawmills Centre (800 Griffin Rd E, Cochrane)
Rocky View - Community safety and recruiting booth at CrossIron Mills Mall (261055 CrossIron Blvd, Rocky View) -
May 23 is Paramedic Research Day
Share May 23 is Paramedic Research Day on Facebook Share May 23 is Paramedic Research Day on Twitter Share May 23 is Paramedic Research Day on Linkedin Email May 23 is Paramedic Research Day linkThe Third Annual Canadian Paramedicine Research Day will include this virtual event showcasing research from across the country. Learn more at www.canadianparamedicineresearch.ca.
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Thank You! 2023 Wildfire Response
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Many Albertans were impacted by the 2023 Wildfires, and we want to acknowledge the care and work that frontline teams from all across the province put into responding to this crisis.
EMS Paramedics provided care where it was most needed between April 29 to June 21, 2023.
- 360 patients were evacuated from 11 communities
- 161 paramedics deployed from Calgary, Edmonton and South Zones to support North and Central (759 shifts)
- Support came from local community EMS resources, Provincial Air Fleet and contracted aircraft, multi-patient buses and ambulances, and Paramedic Response Units.
Say thank you to these incredible professionals here.
Take a look at some of the photos from the 2023 evacuations here.
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Welcome to the world, Timothy! One of Swan Hills’ newest residents was delivered thanks to the response and care of Primary Care Paramedics, Trevor Trefanenko and Caitlin Heffel.
Timothy’s mother said if EMS wasn’t available, she would have had to deliver him at home by herself. Trefanenko replied, “That’s what we’re there for. We’re there for Albertans to help them out when they don’t have a ride to get to a hospital.”
May 19 – 25th is Paramedic Services Week, and AHS is proud of our dedicated paramedics who are there for Albertans – newborn and beyond - in need.
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Alberta Health Services Emergency Medical Services (AHS EMS), the EMS Foundation, the Project Brock Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation recognize staff, colleagues, and service partners for the incredible work that they do in resuscitation at the 2023 AHS EMS Coin Awards. This event is about celebrating those who have represented their links in the Chain of Survival with knowledge, experience, practice, and dedication.
Two paramedics were recognized with the Project Bock Lifesaver Excellence Award for their outstanding response when called to the Medicine Hat College gymnasium, and two paramedics were recognized by the Excellence in Resuscitation Ceremony for their high-quality CPR and advanced cardiac life support to an individual for over 26 minutes. Please join us in congratulating Advanced Care Paramedic Rachel Girling, Primary Care Paramedic Pilani Siwela, Advanced Care Paramedic Sean Wheeler and Primary Care Paramedic Colleen McCann for their lifesaving efforts!
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Many employees who work within EMS are calling rural Alberta home. Some prefer a quieter lifestyle with less commuting, but all are deeply passionate about working in a more tight-knit, family-like atmosphere that is harder to find in urban centres.
Working as an EMS professional in smaller communities allow you to form close bonds with your fellow responders, hospital staff, fire department and other emergency service providers. Everyone knows each other by name, whether they are your colleagues or your patients.
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Denise, from AHS’ Provincial Air Ambulance team, is not joking when she says she loves everything that flies. An Advanced Care Paramedic, she is a perfect example of living a healthy balance between work and play.
On days when she is not working, you’ll find her in her backyard enjoying her hobby as a beekeeper. Her other hobbies include going to the mountains, biking, and connecting with nature any time she can. She also flies glider flights.
“If I’m happy, then I’m a happy practitioner, and I deliver quality care.”
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A look at 'Camp Courage' — a weeklong day camp that aims to educate and inspire young women interested in careers as first responders. With AHS Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the @calgarypolice and Calgary Fire Services.
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When Albertans call 911, a specially trained dispatcher will take the call, but what many patients may not be aware of is that physicians are available 24/7 to collaborate on calls with AHS EMS paramedics. This service is called Online Medical Consultation (OLMC), and is more informally known as Doctors in Dispatch.
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